It’s not surprising to learn that driver error is the leading cause of accidents in Indiana. Far surpassing road conditions, vehicle malfunction, and bad weather, the actions drivers take behind the wheel cause the most collisions in the state each year.
In 2018, driver actions were the primary cause of 86 percent of all crashes and 95 percent of fatal crashes.
This means that if you were injured or a loved one was killed in a crash that was not your fault, our Indianapolis car accident attorney explains, the odds are that the other driver is to blame.
Driver Behaviors That Cause Accidents
There were over 215,000 reported vehicle crashes in Indiana in 2018. Of those, 789 were fatal, and over 32,000 resulted in serious injury. Driver actions that caused most of these crashes included following too closely, failing to yield the right of way, and driver loss of control. Most of these crashes could have easily been prevented by more cautious driving. Many dangerous driver actions are caused by the following behaviors:
- Distraction. Not focusing your full attention on the road can lead to any one of these dangerous actions. Texting or talking on a cell phone, eating and drinking, engaging with passengers, and adjusting audio or climate controls all require the driver to take his eyes from the road and can cause a collision.
- Impairment. Drivers who have been drinking or taking drugs—even prescription medications—can lose their ability to react quickly, judge distances, and perform simple driving tasks. Alcohol was a factor in almost 4,000 crashes in Indiana in 2018.
- Speeding. Speed is the leading cause of fatal crashes each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When a driver is exceeding the speed limit, he is unlikely to be able to react in time to prevent a crash. Also, excessive speed increases the damage caused by a collision.
- Aggressive driving. Aggressive and angry drivers speed, follow too closely and refuse to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Road rage incidents almost always result in a collision or other negative outcomes.
If you were injured in a crash caused by another driver, it is likely that they were engaging in one of these dangerous behaviors and should be held accountable for their actions. With the Indianapolis personal injury lawyer team at Keller & Keller, you can be sure that your accident will be thoroughly investigated, and the driver who caused your injuries or your loved one’s death will be made to pay. You deserve compensation for your losses, and we will help you get it. Contact our Indianapolis office to schedule a free consultation.
